Does Serana Cure Her Vampirism? The Definitive Skyrim Guide
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The answer is yes, Serana can indeed cure her vampirism in The Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim. However, it’s not automatic, and it depends entirely on your choices and actions throughout the Dawnguard questline. You need to side with the Dawnguard and treat Serana with kindness and understanding throughout your shared journey. Only then will the option to convince her to seek a cure become available after the main questline is complete.
The Path to Curing Serana: A Detailed Walkthrough
The journey to convincing Serana to cure her vampirism is a subtle but crucial one. It’s not a simple dialogue choice; it’s a culmination of your interactions with her.
Siding with the Dawnguard
Firstly, to even have the option of Serana seeking a cure, you must choose to side with the Dawnguard rather than the Volkihar vampires. Joining the vampires essentially solidifies Serana’s vampire status as it aligns her with her father, Lord Harkon, and his dark desires.
The Importance of Dialogue
Throughout the Dawnguard questline, pay attention to your dialogue choices with Serana. Avoid consistently choosing options that are dismissive, cruel, or treat her like a tool. Instead, show empathy and express concern for her well-being. Specific moments where showing kindness matters include:
- During conversations about her past: When she opens up about her history and experiences, listen attentively and offer supportive responses.
- After defeating her father: This is a pivotal moment. Express concern for her well-being rather than immediately focusing on a cure. Choose the option “Are you all right?” instead of directly asking about a cure. This softens her stance and opens the door for future persuasion.
The Post-Questline Conversation
After defeating Harkon and completing the main Dawnguard questline, return to Fort Dawnguard. Initiate a conversation with Serana. If you’ve fostered a positive relationship with her throughout the quest, a new dialogue option will become available: you can discuss her vampirism and gently suggest that she consider seeking a cure. If you are consistently nice to her, then she will agree to cure her vampirism.
Falion’s Ritual
Once you convince Serana to seek a cure, she will travel to Morthal to find Falion, an expert on vampirism. Falion will perform a ritual to restore her humanity. This process takes approximately three in-game days. During this time, Serana will remain in Morthal, presumably under Falion’s care.
Serana’s Return
After the three days have passed, Serana will return to Fort Dawnguard, now cured of her vampirism. She will still be a powerful and loyal follower, but she will no longer possess the abilities and weaknesses associated with being a vampire.
Consequences of Curing Serana
While curing Serana can feel like a compassionate choice, it does come with some consequences:
- Loss of Vampire Lord Powers: You can no longer ask her to turn you into a Vampire Lord if you are cured.
- Dialogue Changes: Some of her dialogue and interactions will change to reflect her new human status.
- Sunlight Vulnerability: She will become vulnerable to sunlight, like any other human NPC.
Why Cure Serana?
The decision to cure Serana is a personal one based on your roleplaying preferences. Some players value the potential benefits:
- Moral Alignment: Some players feel that curing Serana aligns with a more heroic and compassionate character arc.
- Reduced Risk: As a vampire, Serana can sometimes cause problems in towns by attracting unwanted attention. Curing her eliminates this risk.
- Curiosity: Some players simply want to see what Serana is like as a human.
Ultimately, the choice is yours. Consider the pros and cons carefully before deciding whether or not to convince Serana to seek a cure.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Serana and Vampirism
1. How long does it take for Serana to cure her vampirism?
It takes approximately three in-game days for Serana to complete the cure after agreeing to seek it.
2. Can I marry Serana if she is cured?
Unfortunately, no, you cannot marry Serana in the standard version of Skyrim, regardless of whether she is a vampire or cured. The game does not allow marriage with Serana. Mods are required to enable this.
3. Can Serana turn me into a vampire after being cured?
No. Once Serana is cured, she loses the ability to turn you into a Vampire Lord.
4. Can I keep Serana as a vampire?
Yes. If you do not convince her to seek a cure, she will remain a vampire and a permanent follower after completing the Dawnguard questline.
5. Does Serana want me to be a vampire?
Serana never explicitly states whether she wants you to become a vampire. She makes it clear that she can turn you, but her motives are ambiguous. She may simply be offering it as a way to survive.
6. Is Serana still essential after cure?
Yes. Serana remains an essential character regardless of whether she is a vampire or cured. She cannot be killed.
7. How do I convince Serana to get cured?
The key is to side with the Dawnguard and consistently choose kind and empathetic dialogue options when speaking with her throughout the questline. After defeating Harkon, choose the option “Are you all right?” instead of directly asking about a cure. This sets the stage for later persuasion at Fort Dawnguard.
8. How many times can Serana turn you into a vampire lord?
If she is still a vampire, Serana can transform you into a Vampire Lord as many times as you want. You can repeatedly switch between being a vampire and being cured.
9. Is it worth it to be a vampire in Skyrim?
The value of being a vampire is subjective. It offers powerful abilities and active effects, such as Nightstalker’s Footsteps, but also comes with weaknesses like sunlight vulnerability. Consider your playstyle and preferences. For example, if you are a member of the Games Learning Society and study stealth, you might want this buff! You can learn more about this organization at GamesLearningSociety.org.
10. Who is the strongest female follower in Skyrim?
Many players consider Serana to be the strongest female follower due to her high levels in Destruction, Conjuration, One-Handed, and Light Armor skills.
11. Does Serana care if you’re a werewolf?
No, Serana does not care if you are a werewolf. She will continue to follow you regardless of your lycanthropy.
12. Can Serana be killed by enemies after being cured?
No, Serana cannot be killed by enemies after being cured because she is still an essential character.
13. What happens to Serana if I join the Volkihar vampires?
If you join the Volkihar vampires, Serana will likely remain a vampire, aligning herself with her father’s goals. You will not have the option to convince her to seek a cure in this scenario.
14. Does Serana have unique dialogue after being cured?
Yes, Serana has some unique dialogue options that are specific to her being cured of vampirism. These dialogues reflect on her experiences and her new perspective on life.
15. If I cure Serana, will it affect my ability to complete other quests in Skyrim?
Curing Serana will not affect your ability to complete other quests in Skyrim. It primarily impacts the Dawnguard questline and your interactions with Serana herself.